Project scope creep; what a nightmare! It is the leaky drain of construction project management. And we all know that a leaky drain can cause serious damage. Small projects begin to trickle in and we think oh this isn’t too bad, and then the project spirals out of control. Scope creep is the reason projects are late most of the time. It can cause dissent among the crew and quickly make your project go over budget. So today we’re going to talk about managing scope creep and how to shave hours from your project timeline with proper management methods.
Reach an Understanding
We all know that communication is the key to a successful project. Every aspect of the project simply runs more smoothly when everyone is on the same page; effective communication does that. Clearly define the scope of the project as early as possible into the process. We know that some amount of creep will happen in every project. It’s your job to limit the amount very early.
Discuss Scope with the Supervisors
Remember that you aren’t the only one involved in making scheduling decisions. You may be pretty good at estimating timelines and giving a little wiggle room just in case. But supervisors and foremen may foresee potential issues that you do not. Their estimated time may be 10 hours longer than you anticipated. Their input will allow you to give a more precise timeline. And if you complete the project ahead of time, even better.
Goals, Objectives, and Milestones
Large projects need to be broken down into smaller chunks. Small projects tend to be completed more quickly than large ones. Create a goal – the completed project, for example, and create objectives and milestones that ultimately reach the goal. Milestones may be stepping stones for the various objectives or phases of the project.
Discuss Grouping Milestones with the Crew
Each construction crew is generally comprised of men and women who work together on a regular basis. They create teams and develop ways to effectively shorten the time it takes to do things without sacrificing quality. They may be able to successfully group congruent milestones to reach the objective more quickly.
Collaborate and Delegate Tasks
Work with the supervisors and crew to ensure that experienced people are where they need to be. The crew may, for example, have someone who frames walls or lays tile faster than others without sacrificing quality. That person should be in a position that allows them to work where they know they do the best work.
Shave Time from the Project Timeline by Hiring a Construction Project Manager
We’ve discovered that process is everything. We know that the construction process can be very stressful and chaotic. A good construction project manager with experience will bring you complete peace of mind that your project will be professionally managed to the highest degree of quality.